Types of Surveys and Statutory Certificates Carried Onboard

1. Annual Survey

• To conduct a general inspection of items related to specific certificates, ensuring they are maintained and satisfactory for the ship’s intended service.
• Timeline: To be carried out within a window of three months before to three months after each anniversary date.
• Conducted by: A Class Surveyor.
• Scope: General examination of the ship, including inspection of:
  • Hull
  • Equipment
  • Machinery
  • Some tests may be witnessed to confirm compliance with Rule requirements and ensure the vessel remains in satisfactory condition.

  2. Intermediate Survey

  • To verify the ship's compliance with Rule requirements and confirm that it is in a satisfactorily maintained condition through:
    • Visual examinations
    • Measurements
    • Testing (as applicable)
  • Timeline: To be carried out within three months before the second anniversary to three months after the third anniversary date.
  • Scope: Includes detailed examinations and checks of the structure and systems.
  • For older vessels or specific ship types, this may include thickness measurements as per Rules and at the discretion of the surveyor.

  3. Renewal (Class Renewal / Special) Survey

  • A major survey to confirm full compliance with Rule requirements through:
    • Visual examination
    • Measurements
    • Testing of hull, equipment, machinery, and systems
  • Frequency: Every 5 years.
  • Extensions of up to 3 months may be granted in exceptional circumstances, without affecting the original due date of the next renewal survey.
  • Scope: Includes:
    • Extensive hull examination with thickness measurements
    • Witnessing tests as deemed necessary
    • Aims to detect structural deterioration such as:
    • Substantial corrosion
    • Fractures
    • Deformation
    • Other forms of damage
  • Notes: The renewal survey may begin during the 4th annual survey and be completed by the 5th anniversary date.

  4. Damage Survey

  • Conducted when the vessel sustains damage that could affect its class status.
  • Scope:
    • Assess the extent of damage
    • Recommend repairs
    • Estimate costs to restore the ship to pre-damage condition
  • Commissioned by: Typically insurance companies as part of a claim investigation to determine the probable cause and extent of damage.
  • Type: Non-periodic survey

  5. Repair Survey

  • Conducted after damage, defect, or breakdown. Ensures that repairs to the hull, equipment, or machinery comply with Class Rules.
  • Conducted by: A Class Surveyor, who verifies the vessel’s restored compliance.
  • Note:
    • If repairs are performed at locations without a surveyor, the vessel must be surveyed at the earliest opportunity.
    • Repairs requiring follow-up inspections are documented under a recommendation or condition of class.

    Part 2: Statutory Certificates Carried Onboard

    The certificates listed below are typically issued by the Flag State Administration or a Recognized Organization (RO) acting on its behalf. The STCW certificates for personnel are issued by the Flag State Administration.

    I. Certificates under SOLAS (International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea), 1974, as amended.

    No.	Certificate	Validity	Reference/Convention Regulation
    1	Cargo Ship Safety Construction Certificate	5 years	SOLAS 1974 Reg I/12; 1988 Protocol
    2	Cargo Ship Safety Equipment Certificate	5 years	SOLAS 1974 Reg I/12; 1988 Protocol
    3	Cargo Ship Safety Radio Certificate	5 years	SOLAS 1974 Reg I/12 (GMDSS); 1988 Protocol
    4	Cargo Ship Safety Certificate (Composite)	5 years	1988 SOLAS Protocol Reg I/12
    5	Exemption Certificate	-	SOLAS 1974 Reg I/12; 1988 Protocol
    6	Minimum Safe Manning Document	-	SOLAS 1974 Reg V/14.2
    7	Safety Management Certificate (SMC)	5 years	SOLAS 1974 Reg IX/4; ISM Code Element 13.7
    8	Document of Compliance (DOC)	5 years	SOLAS 1974 Reg IX/4; ISM Code Element 13.2
    9	International Ship Security Certificate (ISSC)	5 years	SOLAS 1974 Reg XI-2/9.1.1; ISPS Code Part A Sec 19.2

    II. Certificates under MARPOL 73/78 (International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships)

    No.	Certificate/Document	Validity	Reference/Convention Annex & Regulation
    1	International Oil Pollution Prevention Certificate (IOPP)	5 years	MARPOL Annex I Reg 7
    2	Statement of Compliance (Oil Record Book)	5 years	MARPOL Annex I Reg 20 & 21
    3	International Sewage Pollution Prevention Certificate	5 years	MARPOL Annex IV Reg 5; MEPC/Circ.408
    4	Garbage Management Plan	-	MARPOL Annex V Reg 9
    5	Garbage Record Book	-	MARPOL Annex V Reg 9
    6	International Air Pollution Prevention Certificate	-	MARPOL Annex VI Reg 6
    7	Engine International Air Pollution Prevention Certificate (EIAPP)	-	NOx Tech Code Reg 2.3
    8	International Energy Efficiency Certificate (IEEC)	-	MARPOL Annex VI Reg 9 (W.E.F. 01-01-2013)

    III. Certificates under International Load Line Convention (LL), 1966

    No.	Certificate	Validity	Reference/Convention Article
    1	International Load Line Certificate	5 years	LL Convention Art 16; 1988 Protocol Art 18
    2	International Load Line Exemption Certificate	5 years	LL Convention Art 16

    IV. Certificate under International Tonnage Convention, 1969

    No.	Certificate	Validity	Reference/Convention Article
    1	International Tonnage Certificate (1969)	5 years	Tonnage Convention Art 7

    V. Certificates/Documents under AFS (Anti-Fouling System) Convention

    No.	Certificate/Document	Validity	Reference/Convention Annex & Regulation
    1	International Anti-Fouling System Certificate	5 years	AFS Convention Annex 4, Reg 2(1)
    2	Declaration on Anti-Fouling System	5 years	AFS Convention Annex 4, Reg 5(1)

    VI. Certificates/Documents under STCW (Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping)

    No.	Document	Validity	Reference/Convention Article & Regulation
    1	Certificates for Masters, Officers, or Ratings	5 years	STCW 1978 Art VI Reg I/2; STCW Code Sec A-I/2
    2	Records of Hours of Rest	-	STCW Code Sec A-VIII/1

    VII. Certificate under UNCLOS (United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea)

    No.	Certificate	Reference/Convention Article
    1	Certificate of Registry	UNCLOS Article 91

    VIII. Certificates under Liability Conventions (e.g., CLC - Civil Liability Convention)

    No.	Certificate	Reference/Convention Article
    1	Certificate of Insurance (Civil Liability)	Liability Convention Article VII

    IX. Certificates under ILO (International Labour Organization) Conventions

    No.	Certificate	Reference/Convention
    1	Certificate of Compliance (Crew Accommodation)	ILO Convention
    2	Load Test Certificate (Occupational Safety in Dock Work)	ILO Convention